A Netzer1, D Ostrovsky, R Bar, S T Westerman, A Golz. 1. Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Rambam Health Care Campus, The Bruce Rappaport Faculty of Medicine, Technion, Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa, Israel.
Abstract
PURPOSE: Variations of the normal anatomy of the aortic great vessels can lead to severe complications if not recognised pre- or peri-operatively. One such anomaly is a high-riding aberrant innominate artery. STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective review of case series. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We present our experience with seven patients in whom a high aberrant innominate artery was encountered just before or during open tracheotomy. We describe a procedure designed to protect the artery from erosion due to the tracheotomy tube, using an inferiorly based, U-shaped flap from the anterior tracheal wall averted over the innominate artery. RESULTS: None of the patients had any bleeding from the tracheotomy site, during a follow-up period of nine to 46 months. CONCLUSION: The technique described is simple to perform and prevents any damage to a high aberrant innominate artery, as assessed over a long follow-up period.
PURPOSE: Variations of the normal anatomy of the aortic great vessels can lead to severe complications if not recognised pre- or peri-operatively. One such anomaly is a high-riding aberrant innominate artery. STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective review of case series. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We present our experience with seven patients in whom a high aberrant innominate artery was encountered just before or during open tracheotomy. We describe a procedure designed to protect the artery from erosion due to the tracheotomy tube, using an inferiorly based, U-shaped flap from the anterior tracheal wall averted over the innominate artery. RESULTS: None of the patients had any bleeding from the tracheotomy site, during a follow-up period of nine to 46 months. CONCLUSION: The technique described is simple to perform and prevents any damage to a high aberrant innominate artery, as assessed over a long follow-up period.